Sony Xperia Z2 with Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update and Schedule

Sony has been working on delivering Android  updates as fast as it can. According to the latest information, the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update has been certified with users expected to see the download available soon. The release may follow a similar pattern as with other Android updates with the roll out done in stages. Some users can get access to the device sooner while others delayed. 

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Android mascots are lined up in the demonstration area at the Google I/O Developers Conference in the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, May 10, 2011. REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach

SONY promised users that the Android 4.4.4 KitKat Over the Air or OTA release to Xperia Z2 will be coming soon. The company did not provide any particular dates but it should be soon as the company moves to the final stages according to Hallels. Reports also projected the release date to be around November. 

There have been concerns among Xperia Z2 users as some older Sony handsets have received the update with the unit seemingly "ignored." Other devices that got certification included Xperia Z2 Tablet SGP521, Xperia Z2 L50w, Xperia Z2 D6503, Sony Xperia Z2 D6502 and Xperia Z2 Tablet SGP541. 

According to Android Headlines, Sony Xperia Z2 will receive a revamp on its design similar to the Xperia Z3. Once users update to the software, they can expect a similar launcher to the Z3. Other improvements to expect include power menu giving people the option to begin a screen recording, reboot and screenshot. Likewise, people can expect the update to allow the Z2 to last longer with limited usability. More importantly, people will also see a pairing option with Dualshock 4 PlayStation controller. This should be great news for those who are fans of Sony.  

Android Headlines also noted that it strikes as odd to see the firmware build older compared to the the one certified just recently. There are Android 4.4.4 KitKat custom ROMs available for those who cannot wait for the official firmware. Users are advised to take caution when dealing with these ROMs as they can result to bricked phones and warranty loss.

Xperia UL launched

Sony Xperia UL launched with full-HD screen and quad-core processor

Anupam Saxena, May 20, 2013

Sony has launched a new smartphone, Xperia UL, in the Japanese market with carrier KDDI.

Just like the recently launched Xperia A and Xperia ZR, this phone is also water and dust resistant and can withstand 1.5 metres of still water for 30 minutes. The phone is inline with Sony's new design philosophy that we've seen in phones such as the Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia A and Xperia ZR and has the same signature aluminium power button that resembles a watch crown. It also features a thin strip towards the bottom which is essentially an LED light that lights up in different colours just like the Xperia SP.

Coming to the hardware specifications, the Xperia UL sports a 5-inch Reality display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels packing in 443 pixels per inch incorporating Sony's mobile Bravia engine 2 for better looking images and videos. It's powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 quad-core processor and has 2GB of RAM. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

The smartphone features a 13.1-megapixel rear camera with Exmor RS for mobile and a VGA front facing camera. It offers 16GB of internal storage expandable up to 64GB via memory card (microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC ). The phone features NFC, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, Infrared and 4G LTE connectivity options. It has a 2300mAh battery. The phone will be available in White, Pink and Black colours and will be available starting May 25 in Japan. There's no word on the phone's international availability as of now.

The phone had leaked in pictures a few days back on a Chinese website, while rumours of its existence had emerged in March.

Last week, the Sony Xperia A was officially announced by Japanese carrier NTT Docomo as part of its Summer 2013 collection. The water and dust resistant phone has a 720p display and is also powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor. Other specifications are similar to the Xperia UL.

Sony Xperia UL key specifications

• 5-inch full-HD reality display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels
• 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal storage expandable up to 64GB via memory card
• 13-megapixel Exmor RS autofocus camera with LED flash
• VGA front camera
• 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, LTE, NFC, Infrared
• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 2300mAh battery

Sony Xperia A

Sony Xperia A waterproof smartphone with quad-core processor announced

Anupam Saxena, May 15, 2013

The Sony Xperia A smartphone has been officially announced by Japanese carrier NTT Docomo as part of its Summer 2013 collection.

The phone is similar to the Xperia ZR which was announced a few days back and is water and dust resistant with an IP55/ IP58 rating. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

The phone has a 4.6-inches HD reality display sporting a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. Powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor, the Xperia A has 2GB of RAM and internal storage of 32GB expandable up to 64GB via microSD card. The Xperia ZR on the other hand offers internal storage of 8GB.

The Xperia A sports a 13-megapixel fast-capture camera with Exmor RS with auto-focus and a VGA front facing camera. It has a dedicated hardware button for the camera, and allows using it even when the screen is locked. The phone also sports an Infrared blaster and comes with NFC functionality. It has a 2300 mAh battery.

The phone will be available starting May 17 in Black, White, Pink and Mint colour variants in Japan.

The phone was first leaked after its pictures were published by the FCC. This was followed by anotherleak in which posters and brochures of the phone appeared online.

We're not sure if the phone would be available outside Japan as the Xperia ZR has more or less the same hardware, and will be launched globally Q2 2013 onwards.

Sony Xperia A key specifications

• 4.6-inch HD reality display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels
• 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB internal storage expandable up to 32GB via microSD
• 13-megapixel Exmor RS autofocus camera with LED flash
• VGA front camera
• 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, LTE, NFC
• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)

Sony launches Xperia SP

Sony launches Xperia SP with 4.6-inch HD display, Android 4.1 for Rs. 27,490

Surbhi Chawla, April 10, 2013

Sony has launched the Xperia SP in India. Priced at Rs. 27,490 the smartphone will start retailing in India from mid-April.

The smartphone packs in a 4.6-inch 720p HD display. It is powered by a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus dual-core processor along with Adreno 320 GPU. Sony Xperia SP has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB through microSD card.

Camera wise, Sony Xperia XP comes with an 8-megapixel auto focus shooter with LED Flash and a VGA one in the front. As per Sony, the Xperia SP comes with a colour-changing 'transparent element' with customised illumination, which can be personalised to alert you of incoming calls and text messages. You can also set the illuminations to pulse to the beat of your favourite music.

Sony Xperia SP runs on Android 4.1 and the company has indicated that it will be rolling out an update to Android 4.2 in due course of time. Connectivity options include, Wi-Fi 820.11 a/b/g/n, DNLA, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and GPS with Glonass. The smartphone comes with a 2370 mAh battery.

The smartphone will be available in two colour options - black and white. To sweeten the deal the company is giving a phone case worth Rs. 1,990 free with the Xperia SP.

Sony had recently launched the Xperia Z in India for Rs.38,990. It features a 5-inch full-HD display (1920X1080). The smartphone runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Internally, it packs in a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. For camera, there is a 13-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front camera.

The Xperia Z is IP55 and IP57 certified, making it water and dust resistant, features a full glass exterior, is 7.9mm thin weighing 149 grams and has a 2,330mAh battery. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC.

Sony Xperia SP key specifications

• 4.6-inch screen with 1280x720 pixels resolution
• 1.7 GHz Dual-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960Pro processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB internal storage, expandable by up to 32GB through microSD
• 8-megapixel rear camera with LED Flash
• VGA front-facing camera
• 4G LTE / 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi 820.11 a/b/g/n, DNLA, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/ GLONASS, MHL, NFC
• 2,370 mAh battery
• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 155 grams